Surprise—You're Probably Eating Crude Oil Every Day

Winter warriors know the drill: Across the country, when freezing temperatures hit, people reach for Chapstick or Vaseline to heal cracked lips or red, raw knuckles.The thick, glossy goop is just the thing to combat dry skin in frigid temperatures and biting winds.

But have you ever stopped to think about what's in that stuff?

Petroleum jelly, or petrolatum, is a byproduct of crude oil. Yep, the fossil fuel that makes your car run is also found in anything that contains mineral oil or petroleum jelly.

In fact, the women in the study each had about one gram of mineral oil in their bodies, but some had a whopping 10 grams. And it's all in the name of making yourself beautiful. which researchers determined was all from cosmetics use. Those beauty products and lotions get absorbed into the system through skin, so even if you're not using lipstick or Chapstick, you're still taking in petroleum. Yuck.

Even worse, there's research that suggests mineral oil and petrolatum are hormone disruptors. Symptoms of endocrine disruption include a wide range of health concerns, including fertility problems, diminished sex drive, kidney disease, and birth defects—definitely not worth is just for softer skin or lipstick that smooths on a little easier.

But there's good news for those who battle dry skin in the winter months. Products that contain coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil are just as good at hydrating skin naturally. And you won't be turning your internal organs into an oil slick.

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Certified health coach and endorphin enthusiast, Michelle is an expert in healthy living and eating. When she's not writing you can find her running trails, reading about nutrition, and eating lots of guacamole.

Certified health coach and endorphin enthusiast, Michelle is an expert in healthy living and eating. When she's not writing you can find her running Read More

beauty by earth makes great lip balms that are petroleum free. and i have been making my own lotions/body butters and deodorant. its actually very easy. melt a half cup of coconut oil, half cup of shea butter and a quarter cup of cocoa butter in a jar set in simmering water. a few drops of essential oil for fragrance (i like lavendar and citrus). once its melted, put it in the fridge, stirring occasionally til it firms up. best body butter ever! thrive carries everything to make this.